Cheeseburger Casserole
Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
For the Cheeseburger Base
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 yellow onion, medium, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup pickle relish
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
For Assembly and Topping
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, sliced, for topping
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Flatten the meat as much as possible to maximize surface area for browning. Do not add salt at this stage, as it can hinder the Maillard reaction. Cook until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Once a crust has formed, add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Continue to cook, breaking up the beef into crumbles, until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened, about 5-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
Season the beef and onion mixture generously with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, and mayonnaise until well combined and smooth. This is your special sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Pour the special sauce over the cooked ground beef mixture in the skillet. Stir thoroughly until all the beef is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Transfer the sauced beef mixture to the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture, ensuring it is well covered.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400
- 11
Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with sliced dill pickles before serving.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheeseburger Casserole
For the Cheeseburger Base
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 yellow onion, medium, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup pickle relish
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
For Assembly and Topping
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, sliced, for topping
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Flatten the meat as much as possible to maximize surface area for browning. Do not add salt at this stage, as it can hinder the Maillard reaction. Cook until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Once a crust has formed, add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Continue to cook, breaking up the beef into crumbles, until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened, about 5-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
Season the beef and onion mixture generously with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, and mayonnaise until well combined and smooth. This is your special sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Pour the special sauce over the cooked ground beef mixture in the skillet. Stir thoroughly until all the beef is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Transfer the sauced beef mixture to the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture, ensuring it is well covered.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400 - 11
Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with sliced dill pickles before serving.
⏱️ 3 min